Lexus RX 300 vs. Acura MDX
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Lexus RX 300 and Acura MDX contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Lexus RX 300 and the Acura MDX.
In comparing the Lexus RX 300's and the Acura MDX's specifications and ratings, the Lexus RX 300 has the advantage in the area of fuel efficiency. The Acura MDX has the advantage in the areas of typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars and base engine power. Based on this comparison of the Lexus RX 300's and the Acura MDX's specifications and ratings, the Acura MDX is a better car than the Lexus RX 300.
Pricing: A used 2003 Lexus RX 300 ranges from $3,496 to $9,655 while a used 2003 Acura MDX is priced between $2,649 to $9,396.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Lexus RX 300’s base engine makes 220 horsepower, and the Acura MDX base engine makes 260 horsepower. The RX 300 is rated to deliver an average of 18 miles per gallon, while the MDX is rated to deliver an average of 17 miles per gallon. Both have a highway range of 399 miles. Both models use gasoline.
Safety Ratings: The Acura MDX has an average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars based on NHTSA's crash test ratings.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$35,700
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
N/A
Category Starting MSRP Range:
N/A
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
-
Starting MSRP:
$36,200
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
$41,075
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
$34,995 - $56,665
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$6,106
Price Range:
$3,496 - $9,655
Category Avg Price:
N/A
Category Avg Price Range:
N/A
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
14
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
165,855
# Good or Great Deals:
5
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
$5,545
Price Range:
$2,649 - $9,396
Category Avg Price:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
$7,140
Category Avg Price Range:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
$5,201 - $11,823
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
5
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
174,904
# Good or Great Deals:
1
Lexus RX 300 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
Not available
Safety:
Not available
Acura MDX Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
8.9 / 10
Reliability:
9.3 / 10
Retained Value:
7.3 / 10
Safety:
10.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Lexus RX 300
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Acura MDX
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
N/A
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
N/A
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
0.9
Typical Category Recalls:
N/A
Category Range for Recalls:
N/A
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
10.6
Typical Category Recalls:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
5.2
Category Range for Recalls:
(Luxury Midsize SUVs)
2.4 - 19.4
Lexus RX 300 Rankings
Not yet available
Acura MDX Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 68Ranking
1 out of / 68Ranking
1 out of / 68Ranking
1 out of / 29Ranking
1 out of / 29Ranking
1 out of / 20Ranking
1 out of / 20Ranking
1 out of / 20Ranking
1 out of / 13Ranking
1 out of / 8Ranking
1 out of / 6Ranking
2 out of / 10Ranking
3 out of / 29Ranking
3 out of / 19Ranking
5 out of / 26Ranking
7 out of / 20Ranking
7 out of / 20Ranking
8 out of / 29Ranking
9 out of / 20Ranking
12 out of / 20Ranking
12 out of / 20Ranking
13 out of / 20Ranking
14 out of / 68Ranking
16 out of / 68Ranking
16 out of / 20Ranking
17 out of / 29Ranking
18 out of / 20Ranking
19 out of / 29Ranking
21 out of / 68Ranking
21 out of / 29Ranking
22 out of / 29Ranking
23 out of / 29Ranking
23 out of / 29Ranking
25 out of / 68Ranking
26 out of / 29Ranking
31 out of / 59Ranking
34 out of / 68Ranking
37 out of / 68Ranking
46 out of / 68Ranking
49 out of / 68Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Body Styles
SUV
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Lexus RX 300 Trim Levels
Base
Acura MDX Trim Levels
Base, Touring, Touring w/Navi, Touring w/Navi w/RES, Touring w/RES
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
6 years / 70000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
4 years / 50000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
4 years / 50000 miles
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
Not yet available
2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
Not yet available
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
220 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque:
222 foot-lbs @ 4400 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.059 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
3500 lbs
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
260 hp @ 5750 rpm
Torque:
250 foot-lbs @ 3500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.059 hp per pound
Towing capacity:
3500 lbs
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
17 / 21 / 18
Range (city/hwy):
323 / 399 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
15 / 21 / 17
Range (city/hwy):
285 / 399 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Gasoline
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bluetooth:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Power outlet:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Satellite radio:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Sunroof/Moonroof:
Standard
Heated Seats
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Available
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Voice Recognition:
Available
Adaptive Cruise Control:
N/A
Air Suspension:
N/A
Android Auto:
N/A
Apple CarPlay:
N/A
Automatic Parking:
N/A
Bluetooth:
N/A
Captain's seat:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
N/A
Front Bench Seats:
N/A
Heated Steering Wheel:
N/A
Internet Radio:
N/A
Keyless Ignition:
N/A
Massage Seats:
N/A
Paddle Shifters:
N/A
Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof
N/A
Parking Sensors:
N/A
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Power outlet:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roadside assistance:
N/A
Roof Rack:
Available
Satellite radio:
N/A
Wifi:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
N/A
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Safety Features
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Backup camera:
Available
Blind Spot Monitoring:
N/A
Driver Attention Monitoring:
N/A
Forward Collision Warning:
N/A
Lane Departure Warning:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
N/A
Pedestrian Detection:
N/A
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
N/A
Rear Seat Reminder:
N/A
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.1 inches
Front Leg Room:
40.7 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
57.8 inches
Rear Head Room:
38.6 inches
Rear Leg Room:
36.4 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
57 inches
Cargo Space:
Not yet available
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
38.7 inches
Front Leg Room:
41.5 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
61.2 inches
Rear Head Room:
39 inches
Rear Leg Room:
37.8 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
61.1 inches
Cargo Space:
Not yet available
Cargo Space, 2nd-row seat folded down:
Not yet available
Overall Interior Volume:
Not yet available
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3715 lbs
Width:
71.5 inches
Height:
65.7 inches
Length:
180.1 inches
Wheelbase:
103.1 inches
Ground Clearance:
7.7 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
4420 lbs
Width:
77 inches
Height:
68.7 inches
Length:
188.5 inches
Wheelbase:
106.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
8 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P225/70R16
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
17.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P235/65R17
Exterior Colors
Black
Black Onyx
Blue
Blue Vapor Metallic / Indigo Ink Pearl
Gold
Burnished Gold Metallic
Green
Mineral Green Opalescent / Woodland Pearl
Silver
Millennium SIlver Metallic
White
White Gold Crystal
Red
Not available
Exterior Colors
Black
Nighthawk Black Pearl
Blue
Havasu Blue Metallic / Midnight Blue Pearl
Gold
Sandstone Metallic
Green
Sagebrush Pearl
Silver
Starlight Silver Metallic
White
Taffeta White
Red
Redrock Pearl
Interior Colors
Black
Black
White
Ivory
Beige
Not available
Gray
Not available
Interior Colors
Black
Ebony
White
Not available
Beige
Saddle
Gray
Quartz
